Harold Effron

Harold of Woodcliff Lake and Naples FL. on 3-11-15, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Spring Valley, N.Y. in 1926 and lived in Woodcliff Lake for 60 years. Beloved Husband to Natalie nee Heller for 60 years. Cherished son of the late Minnie and David Effron. Devoted father of Denise and Bill Hayes, Robin Malley and Melissa and Michael Keenan. Adored Poppy of Jason Hoffman, Jenna Malley, Sarah Malley, Samantha Keenan and Zachary Keenan and his devoted assistant Faye Wilson.

Services were held at Gutterman and Musicant Jewish Funeral Directors 402 Park Street Hackensack, N.J. on Sunday March 15,2015 at 10:00 A.M.

Harold Effron was the embodiment of true volunteer spirit. As a 40 plus year trustee and treasurer of Pascack Valley Hospital, he made the challenge of providing superior hospital care to the residents of Pascack Valley a personal mission. He was the first Honorary Member of the Park Ridge Fire Dept., a title he has held for 55 years, as well as an honorary member of the Park Ridge Police Reserves. He was also an honorary member of the Woodcliff Lake Fire Department.

Many will remember Harold and his wife Natalie serving coffee to warm up firefighters during fires on many bitter cold nights. Harold, Natalie and daughters also spent more than forty Christmas Eves at Depot Square in Park Ridge serving coffee and hot chocolate to the fire department when they escorted Santa Claus into town atop of fire apparatus, sirens and lights blaring, with gifts and stockings for all the children of residents.

As a Board member, Harold also escorted the Park Ridge Firemen to Pascack Valley Hospital on every Christmas day for fifty years, giving toys to the children in Pediatrics and stockings to every patient, some of whom commented that Santa and the firemen were going to be the only visitors they would have on Christmas day. As a Woodcliff Lake Councilman during the 1970’s, he served as, Police and Fire Commissioner. He was a member of the board of Liberty National Bank and the regional board of Valley National Bank, as well as serving on the Bergen Community College Nursing Advisory Board. He was also a member of the Park Ridge Elks and the Fulton Friendship Lodge 102. In 1974 the Pascack Valley Chamber of Commerce honored him as its first Citizen of the Year, because of his volunteer work throughout the Pascack Valley.

He was a formerly a merchant in Park Ridge and owned Park Ridge Clothing, as well as Brand Bar and Beverages and later had a career as a real estate agent, appraiser, builder and investor. His most recent venture was the recently opened Effron Building in Park Ridge, a commercial and residential building in the center of town.

Memorial contributions may be made to either the Park Ridge Firemen’s Association P.O. Box 333 Park Ridge NJ 07656 or to the Woodcliff Lake Fire Dept. 180 Pascack Road Woodcliff Lake NJ 07677